At least the team bonding went well

Panthers have already suffered their first defeat of the 2013 season - at the hands of Mother Nature!

The city team were forced to cancel two days of planned practice at the East of England Showg round after the track had been left sodden by bad weather last weekend.

A day of team bonding had gone ahead as planned at the weekend when team manager Jan Staechmann took his charges to the Adrenalin Jungle - an outdoor pursuit centre in Notting hamshire.

The Panthers men were put through their paces in everything from an assault course to blindfolded driving - activities that Staech - mann is convinced will stand the min good stead for along season on the shale.

He said: “It was frustrat - ing not to beable to practice, but as we found out many times last year, we can’t do anything about the weather.

“Everyone wanted to get out there on their home track and do plenty of laps, but unfortunately we didn’t have that opportunity.

“We’re still trying to fix up a bit of practice ahead of our first meeting against Lakeside next Thursday.

“The team- bonding day was a roaring success though. It was all about building trust in each other and using our communication skills. We’re already a happy team and a happy team is a winning team.

“A good spirit in the camp is proven in helping to bring success.

“The guys have to be comfortable in each other’s company off the track and work well together on it.”